CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE
Matthew 5:13-16
Read Matthew 5:13-16.
Why did Jesus compare the disciples to the salt of the earth and light of the world?
When we study the characteristics of salt and light, we learn that when use properly, it has beneficial influence. I said “proper usage” because improper usage is also both dangerous and less effective.
Too much salt is not good for its users (e.g. high blood pressure, kidney problem). Less salt does not have a significant influence (e.g. less flavor, cannot preserve nor purifies).
Same thing with light, too much light is blinding (e.g. when you are driving and the opposite automobile is on high beam light, taking pictures with too much light does not produce high quality pictures) but less light is also damaging or ineffective (e.g. reading with less light damages vision sharpness).
In the same way, the followers of Christ as salt and light of this world should have beneficial influence in this world. God wanted us to have a useful and favorable impact in this world.
If you are the only Christians in your family, God wanted you to be the salt and light of your home. Salt and light today are two indispensable commodities.
If you are a student surrounded by unbelievers, God wanted you to be the salt and light in your school. Some Christians are against homeschooling and Christian school as a means of staying away from ungodly public schools.
There are useful applications of homeschooling (e.g. those who are sick or have physical limitation) and Christian school like propagating the message of the gospel (e.g. when the school is open to general public) but to use them as a way of shielding our children from the influences of the world we are missing the admonition of the Lord of being salt and light of this world.
If we are surrounded by unbelievers in our workplaces, God wanted us to be salt and light of that office.
As a church, God wanted us to be the salt and light of the world in our community. We should have a holistic and positive influence in our community.
Everything that God created has a positive influence in our lives (e.g creation – land, heavenly bodies, plants, animals, etc). Everyone that God touched and changed have an impact in other people’s lives. (e.g. prophets, apostles, today’s preachers, average but genuine Christians, etc.)
Ephesians 2:10. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
This verse tells us that we do good works because we are God’s workmanship not to earn God’s favor.
In what ways we are the salt and light of this world?
In this case we need identify the various applications of salt and light:
1. PRESERVING AGENT
There are many uses for the salt but for the ancient Jews salt is used to preserve meat without refrigeration. (e.g. dried meat, dried fish, salted fish or shrimp) Jesus calls his disciples to arrest corruption and prevent the moral decay in our world. Christians must permeate society as agents of redemption.
Although it is the Holy Spirit’s work to transform a person, God wanted His children as led by the Holy Spirit to prevent a moral deterioration of our society. How can we be that kind of agent?
a. By modeling a moral lifestyle – let us live the kind of life that honors God and we can be that preserving agent. Instead of contributing to the problem of our society, let us be part of the solutions.
Titus 3:1-8. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Notice that after a person was saved by God from moral and spiritual deterioration, He expects us to devote ourselves to doing what is good. (e.g. peace loving person in the home, church, and neighborhood; detach from activities that promotes immorality – adultery, cohabitation, and addiction.)
b. By supporting causes that promotes the welfare of world. – we need to be aware of the different agencies and groups that promotes the welfare of the world and support them by participating and giving of resources. (e.g. crime prevention, preserve family values, promotes healthy relationship between men and races.)
c. By training our younger generation. – our children should be corrected and train to be a moral agent. Don’t let them just follow the ways of this world; train them in the instruction of the world. We cannot stop the world from enticing our children but we can teach them how to respond correctly.
2. ENHANCING AGENT
Salt is use as a spice giving flavor and enhancing taste. Christians should live in such a way that we enhance the quality of life in this world. A lot of people today are depressed and discouraged because of what they are going through in this world.
a. Be an encourager. One way we can have an enhancing effect is by giving encouragement to those who are in difficult situations. Let us avoid any form of indifference to our suffering neighbors. We should take the initiative to offer help and support who are sufferings.
1 Peter 3:15-16. 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
These verses tell us that we must offer words of hope and encouragement to our depressed and discouraged neighborhood. But we have to do it gently and with respect to prevent a suspicion of judgment.
b. Be an affirmative person. – we avoid criticial and negative comments and opinions. Let us find positive side of the situation and person.
Colossians 4:6. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Jesus also talked about “salt losing its saltiness and should be thrown away.” Jesus did not mean that Christians would lose its salvation or eternal life. Rather this phrase refers to the world’s response to Christians if they do not function as they should.
Christians who fail to arrest corruption become worthless as agents of change and redemption. Christianity may make its peace with world and avoid persecution but it is thereby rendered impotent to fulfill its divinely ordained role.
Therefore let us be that agent of preservation and enhancement beginning in our homes, workplace, schools, and neighborhood.
3. ILLUMINATING AGENT
Jesus said that his followers should be that light that provides illumination in this dark world. Jesus is the ultimate Light of this World.
JOHN 8:12. 12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Take note that those who follow the Lord not only will not walk in darkness (discontinued in sinful lifestyle) but also have the light of life. The followers of Jesus would reflect the light of life and provides illumination in the dark alleys of life.
Ephesians 5:8-14. 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible.
Paul said have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them. How do we expose them? Not being judgmental but living a life of goodness, righteousness, and truth.
As we live a life of goodness, righteousness, and truth we become the beacon of light in our homes and neighborhood. It was not an accident that we are in a place where we are right now. God placed us in those locations so people can see light and be enlightened.
ILLUSTRATION Whenever I travel by plane and returned home in the evening, it is amazing to see those little lights from the sky how it gives light to the community who lives down before me.
For the believers to keep on shining before this dark world, it would mean consistent fellowship with God.
1 John 1:5-7. 5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
This passage tells us that we must be consistently living in fellowship with God. We derive our light from God.
ILLUSTRATION God is the electricity; we are the bulbs that are powered by electricity.
When we examine the effectiveness and significance of salt and light, it is realize when they interact (salt) with the elements and expose (light) to the environment. Therefore Christian should interact with the community and expose them to his illuminating power.
Both metaphors of salt and light raise important questions about Christian involvement in society regarding all forms of separatism or withdrawal. We are not called to control secular power structures; neither are we promised that we can Christianize the legislation and values of the world.
But we must remain active preservative agents, in calling the world to heed God’s standards. We dare not form isolated Christian enclaves to which the world pays no attention.
The church, cell groups, and fellowships are necessary elements for our nurture but the opportunity to make a difference is out there in the world by being salt and light. Don’t cut off your ties with the world – by separation and withdrawal because when we do, we cut off our influence.
Just like salt, it is rob or mixed with food, and light is place not under the bed but in the open space. Let us not burn the bridges of friendship with the unbelievers and let us cross those bridges and interact as salt and light.
Be a part of the different organizations in the community – sports, hobby, social concern, special movements, and etc. Maintain natural and good relationships with your unbelieving loved ones and friends.
Matthew 28:19-20. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 2 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
ACTS 1:8 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
ILLUSTRATION Benjamin Franklin: He who shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity, will change the face of the world.
Therefore go as salt and light of this world.
